Skip to content

Catalyst Crofton to resume operations at Cowichan Lake weir in April

Weir regulates water flow out of Cowichan Lake
28552076_web1_copy_210729-CHC-Cowichan-Lake-flow-reduction-weir_1
Catalyst Crofton will resume regular seasonal operations at the Cowichan Lake weir in April. (File photo)

In early April, Catalyst Crofton will resume regular seasonal operations at the Cowichan Lake weir which regulates water flow out of Cowichan Lake.

Once operating, a press release from the company said the weir will gradually reduce water flow from the lake to the river in order to have enough extra water in the lake to achieve the target river flow during the dry summer months.

Catalyst Crofton operates the weir under the direction of the provincial government which sets the target river flow with guidance provided by fish and fish habitat stewards, including Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Once the weir is mechanically and electrically confirmed to be ready for another control season, the boat lock gates will be lowered, and boater traffic must navigate from lake and river with assistance from the boat-lock operator.

While the weir boat lock is operated 24 hours per day during control season, boat passage through the locks is intended to be a daylight activity.

Adjustments to river flow are also made mostly during the day shift.

The monitoring and regulation of Cowichan Lake water levels and flow releases is part of the provincial government’s ongoing commitment to maintain stream flows for all stakeholders.

Lake level, river flow and snowpack data are available under Cowichan Water Management Information at the bottom of the webpage https://paperexcellence.com/mill-location/crofton/



Robert Barron

About the Author: Robert Barron

Since 2016, I've had had the pleasure of working with our dedicated staff and community in the Cowichan Valley.
Read more